Sunderland war veteran ‘over the moon’ to be reunited with lost medals

Kevin Clark

War veteran Donald Nicholson has been be reunited with his lost medals today.

The Echo revealed on Saturday that the medals – thought to have been lost on a visit to the unveiling of the new Bomber Command memorial in Lincoln – had been found just yards from Donald’s Houghton home and handed in at the town’s police station.

Donald Nicholson with his medals.

Donald went round to the station on Saturday morning, only to find the medals have been transferred to the secure storage facility at Southwick for safe keeping.

But police called at 93-year-old Donald’s home in Castle Dene Grove this morning and the four medals – the 1949-45 star with clasp, the France and Germany Star, the Defence Medal and the Victory Medal– have now been safely returned.

“I knew why they were there, so it didn’t surprise me – I knew I had not been clocked for speeding,” said Donald.

“I am over the moon – it is a magical feeling. You have an issue that has been hitting you over the head and it has been lifted off.”

I am over the moon – it is a magical feeling. You have an issue that has been hitting you over the head and it has been lifted off.

Donald Nicholson

Donald is delighted to have his medals back in time to participate in the Houghton Remembrance Day service.

“I have been invited to lay the wreath for the last two years running and I think I will be the only one visiting the Royal British Legion Club who is a World War II veteran.”

Donald Nicolson's medals

Donald Nicholson in the cockpit of Lancaster Bomber 'Patricia' - named after the pilot's fiancee.